- South Ozone Park, Queens
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South Ozone Park — Neighborhoods of New York City — Rockaway Boulevard
Country United States State New York County Queens Population (2000) – Total 45,498 Ethnicity – White 20.8% – Black 35.7% – Hispanic 22.7% – Asian 12.8% – Other 15.6% Economics – Median income $47,584 ZIP code 11420 Area code(s) 718, 347, 917 South Ozone Park is a neighborhood in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Queens. It was originally developed as low-cost housing in the early 1900s. Adjacently north of JFK Airport, its boundaries extend from the Aqueduct Racetrack westward to the Van Wyck Expressway.[1] Its main thoroughfare is Rockaway Boulevard. The neighborhood is part of Queens Community Board 10.[2]
Despite its name, South Ozone Park is mostly east of the neighborhood of Ozone Park. Richmond Hill lies to the north. Jamaica, South Jamaica, and Springfield Gardens are to the east. To the southwest are Howard Beach and Old Howard Beach.[1]
Generally seen as less upscale than Ozone Park, South Ozone Park is home to a more diverse population, with many African Americans, Trinidadians, Bangladeshis, Guyanese, and Hispanics living in the area, in addition to the area's longtime Italian-American population. The African-American and Afro-Caribbean community of South Ozone Park is largely concentrated in the easternmost districts of the neighborhood, while Hispanics and Indo Caribbeans are scattered throughout the neighborhood. Italian-Americans are most prevalent in the southern and western areas in the neighborhood near the Conduit. The neighborhood is located in the Sixth congressional district, and is represented by Democrat Gregory Meeks. There has been a recent surge of development in South Ozone Park that rivals many of the surrounding communities in terms of home value.
Rockaway Boulevard is South Ozone Park's main business strip. There is also a high concentration of small businesses along Liberty Avenue in nearby Richmond Hill, which is also one of South Ozone Park's main source of revenue.[clarification needed] The organized crime associate Parnell Edwards was killed here,[where?] shortly after the Lufthansa Heist in 1978. South Ozone Park is served by the Q7 bus on Rockaway Boulevard, the Q9 bus on Lincoln Street, and the Q10 bus on Lefferts Boulevard.
Education
- Our Lady's Catholic Academy Our Lady’s Catholic Academy is a diverse, child-centered Catholic elementary school that serves the South Ozone Park community. The school, located on 126th Street and Rockaway Boulevard, was founded in September 2009, under the direction and guidance of the Board of Directors.[3]
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help School is the parish school for the church of the same name. It is located on 115th Street and is within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. Established on September 12, 1927, it educates in grades PK-8. The principal is Mrs. Frances DeLuca.
- Vincent G. Fowler School is an elementary school that educates pre k-5th grade students. It is located across from the Aqueduct Racetrack, with principal Ms. Biondollilo.
- Virgil I Grissom, J.H.S. 226, Rockaway Blvd and 122nd Street. This middle school is named for the late astronaut, it features Grades 6-8 and specializes in several areas of general education practices. It is a zoned school nestled in an area of a diverse population.
- P.S. 124 Osmond A Church
- P.S. 45 The Clarence E. Witherspoon School, at 126-28 150th Street, serves grades K-6.
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References
- ^ a b "Map of Queens neighborhoods". Archived from the original on 2008-08-22. http://web.archive.org/web/20080822055143/http://www.queensbp.org/content_web/map_boundaries.htm.
- ^ Queens Community Boards, New York City. Accessed September 3, 2007.
- ^ "All About the Academy." Our Lady's Catholic Academy. 24 September 2009. Web. 25 September 2009.
Categories:- Neighborhoods in Queens
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